.... but I know on here I might get a sensible answer or six! I still have my birding L Plates on - been doing it serious-ish-ly for about a year give or take. This site is a brilliant resource for ideas of nearby places to visit, and I've had some great sessions at Pennington Flash, Horwich Moors, Astley Mo...
I stopped buying Birdwatching magazine a long long time ago, but over the last 18 months, a colleague at work has been 'recycling' his copies. Apart from the optics reviews and the odd informative article I don't find the magazine particularly to my taste, but one thing I have noticed that has really s...
Whilst out in the garden last weekend, my wife and I each found an egg on the lawn whilst mowing the grass on two separate occasions. At first I thought our cat's might have got them from a nearby nest, but Sarah said that her egg wasn't on the grass when she started mowing, and then it appeared. So now I curr...
Hi I was an avid ornithologist in my youth but gradually drifted away as other interests took over, mainly music! Anyway after recently doing a lot more walking and really enjoying it I thought why not take some binoculars and a camera along. Following on from this my interest in ornithology was fired...
Walked about 3/4 mile along this starting at Radcliffe asda this afternoon, I've not visited before and was pleasantly surprised. Lots of standard woodland birds including 5 singing Chiffchaff, 9 singing Willow Warbler, 3 Tree creeper and heard a GSWoodpecker. Definately worth another visit I t...
As per the title Binoculars are 12 months old and come with rain guard, eye caps strap and neoprene carrying case Great pair of binoculars but selling due to upgrade Paid £349 will take £240 Send me a PM if interested
Just returned home from a campsite a mile from York its called Manor farm never seen so many birds in one small place before 20plus Green finches Linnets Chaffinches Song Thrush Robins Blue tits Great tits Blackbirds 15-20 Dunnock Wrens 2 Swallows 1st of the year and at 10pm managed to hear then see a Ta...
Norwegian Blue? Can you ID this ex-bird? I came across this pile of feathers today whilst in Alkrington Woods, but am baffled as to what they could have belonged to. All the feathers were either this delicat...
North Manchester - an interesting array of trees including several willow, some blossom trees and banks of nettles attracted me to the potential of this fairly small, essentially urban birding location. My first go here today in fine weather: 2 Male Blackcaps - many more heard. 1 Whitethroat glimp...
nice walk up the valley yesterday with the wife . Wonderfull veiws of the golden eagle displaying trying to attract a female for the eight year , still alone wot a shame. But good veiws of great grey shrike on the way back down -- Edited by steve ashworth on Wednesday 27th of April 2011 03:04:05 AM
Park Lane Reclamation Site today (former brickworks and colliery spoil between Maypole and Crankwood Road): 5 Green-Veined White, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Orange Tip, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, Buff-Tailed and Red-Tailed Bumblebees -- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 12th of April 2012 09:37:13 PM
There are 4 methods of record submission for your county sightings. 1. MapMate Biological Recording Software- this is the most efficient method for both you and I. Inputting data for you is simple as is sending that data to us. For your part, the software offers you easy reference of all your sighting...
I watched the big year the other night. Its about three American birders trying to be the best re number of birds in a year with all the competition. Its a comedy and its quite funny Steve Martin is in it and two other famous actors. It did have similarities with the British book arrivals and rivals especi...
I have a Pair of Blackbirds M & F collecting Beakfuls of Grubs,Worms,Bread etc and flying off fully laden. This only means they have chicks to feed. 1st week in April,Must be a record.
Has anyone got Blue Tits in their nest box yet? This time last year I had a pair building a nest in mine but so far this year there has only been one brief investigation a couple of weeks ago and nothing since. Is it too late now for Blue Tits to be building their nest or can I still keep my fingers crossed? My li...
Here in Madrid, I was surprised to read last week in El Pais (the major Spanish daily paper) of an outbreak of Leishmaniasis within a few kilometres just to the S.W. of the city centre. I was surprised, as I have always been under the impression that this disease is restricted to the tropics, where it is a...
Fox on the opposite bank of the River Bollin this morning during a walk around Sunbank Wood area. -- Edited by Phil Owen on Thursday 9th of February 2012 02:22:23 PM
As a new member of the forum I can't believe I have just missed the 20-60 eyepiece just sold. I have an earlier non locking eyepiece Televid APO 62 with 32 ww eyepiece but would like to get a zoom as well. Any possibilities? I am using an Opticron Verano 8x32HD which I find excellent (I reckon the 10x42 adve...
A carrier bag containing a scope and binos also DVD's has been recovered from the Worsley area- Farm lane. We have no records at present of any thefts of such items. If any of you have lost such things or know of someone who has please contact PC 2443 Darren Lowe at Swinton VCT on 856 5353. Thanks Ivan
FOR Sale. Sigma apochromatic, auto/manual focus, macro 70--300mm lens, f4-5.6. To fit Canon AF/AFS SLRs. Immaculate condition. Complete with lens hood and unused Sigma padded case. The zoom range quoted is for a full frame (35mm equivalent) sensor and the 300mm becomes nearer the equivalent of 4...
If you regularly contribute to BTO surveys or got involved in Bird Atlas, this publication should be dropping through your letterbox soon. Whilst other publications may seem to ignore the North West, the BTO magazine has a two-page spread by Stephen Young from Hyde which is well worth reading. Step...
(Matthew Gonshaw) is banned from travelling to Scotland during the breeding season from February 1 to August 31, Stratford magistrates ruled last Friday. He is also banned from all RSPB land and any owned by the Wildlife Trust until 2022. There are posters going up in various RSPB reserves and hides...
With my lists (for Wigan and GM) taking a depressing backward step this last week, I´ve been pondering as to whether any positives can be salvaged from the situation..... I wonder if any of you are into cooking in a big way? If so,- do you think that Pintail might go well with a nice orange sauce please? re...
